Lobed Cactus Coral

About

Lobed Cactus Coral (Lobophyllia diminuta) is a small-colony LPS coral found across a broad sweep of the Indo-West Pacific, from the Maldives out through Melanesia, ranging as far north as Taiwan and south to Australian waters. In the wild it turns up on upper reef slopes and in lagoons, usually in shallower zones where light reaches comfortably. Colonies tend to be flat or gently dome-shaped, staying on the smaller side compared to many of its Lobophyllia relatives. The individual corallites average around 16 millimeters across, are typically single-centered, and carry long, prominent septal teeth that give the surface a pleasingly textured, almost sculpted look. Coloration runs to mottled oranges, greens, and whites, often with noticeably paler mouths at each center. A pattern that makes individual polyps easy to pick out. In the aquarium, this species is genuinely approachable for reef keepers who are still building experience with LPS corals. It appreciates moderate lighting and low flow, and it does not demand the careful placement juggling that more sensitive large-polyp stony corals can require. Give it some space from neighbors, since like most Lobophyllia it can extend sweeper tentacles, and it should settle in and thrive without much fuss.